To share and connect with those interested in writing from life, recording their personal histories, writing a memoir for publication and/or personal use, and all things related to writing one's story.

"Have you thought about writing your family history, but found yourself stuck from the start? Writing a family narrative can be a daunting task, but Karen Jones Gowen found a way to bring her mother's story to life." (Homespun Magazine)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year's Resolutions Then & Now

These have been my resolutions for the past 4 decades:

Lose weight

Exercise more

Eat less sugar

Clean out the closets

Random other goals that have to do with whatever work or hobbies I'm involved with at the moment.

So this year I won't do resolutions or goals, but simply set up these Three Challenges:

1. Write 30 minutes Mon-Fri.

2. Walk 30 - 60 minutes 5x a week.

3. Read 50 books.

I've already started on the walking and the reading. I'm clearing up a lot of minor tasks that are taking excessive amounts of time and energy to prepare for the writing challenge.

So forget Resolutions. This year it is Challenges. Wish me luck! (And do you realize today is 1/1/11. Can't wait for 1/11/11 in 10 days!)

Couldn't find comment at place of post where you wondered why all the followers. And you have done well. Not surprising, because you write so well.http://www.geneabloggers.com/genealogy-blogs-december-11-2010/.I may have missed where you mentioned it on your post. I only saw the link myself today.

Followers

Just Do It! Write Your Story

"I devoted myself, early on, to writing. Really writing. Just doing it, no matter how awkward and unfit I felt. So every single morning I am on the planet, I grit my teeth and this hard, embarrassing, abject, thrilling thing--writing--because I want, in part, to count." (from Page after Page by Heather Sellers)

Photos from Farm Girl

High school graduation photo of Lucille Marker, the farm girl

Lucille drinking from the well

John Marker, Dust Bowl Days

The Marker Nebraska farmstead

"Farm Girl presents a vision of life on a Nebraska homestead during the 1920's and 1930's, told from a child's perspective, and illustrated with photographs of the time." (Quincy Herald Whig)

"Through the intertwined stories of the life of the Marker family and of the broader historical time period, the book is more than captivating. Gowen's vivid account of her mother's life allows Farm Girl to read as seamlessly as if one were recalling personal memories." (The Holyoke Enterprise)

"Farm Girl will capture the interest of readers in the photos the book contains and witty recollections Lucille has of her grandparents in Catherton Township." (The Red Cloud Chief)

To Buy My Books

True coming of age story of a young girl growing up on a 1930's Nebraska farm.

Click to order

A young married couple struggles to find balance during the over-the-top decade of the Seventies. An autobiographical novel.

Praise for Uncut Diamonds

"What I love is the dialogue." (Deirdre Paulsen, BYU English professor)

"...tight, realistic, warm family truth... exactly the kind of realistic character-and relationship-driven writing I have been waiting to happen in the LDS market." (Marilyn Brown, award-winning author and benefactor of the annual Marilyn Brown Award)